A rural town with plenty of employment opportunities
A rural community of almost 9,000 people, Pulaski is surrounded by farmland, but the county seat of Pulaski County has also seen some industrial growth. “Pulaski was previously an industrial town, but [it's] emerging as a central hub of business,” says Jake Hinson, a Realtor with Hinson Team Realtors and RE/MAX 8. Major employers in Pulaski County include a Volvo manufacturing plant and Appalachian Power. Virginia Tech, the large public university with about 30,000 undergraduate students where some residents work, is about 26 miles northeast of town. Residents who work throughout the county return home to their laid-back community of Pulaski, where comparably affordable housing prices have renewed buyers’ interest.
Pulaski is a small town near the blue ridge mountains. Once a big industrial hub, Pulaski still has a few businesses hanging in there.
Virginia Tech is about 20 minutes away from Pulaski in Blacksburg.
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Cheaper Cape Cods and ranch-style homes in Pulaski
The town’s gridded, residential streets are lined with mid-to-late-20th century houses on simple grass lots. Most are ranch-style homes, Cape Cods and bungalows, though some larger farmhouses are also in the mix. “It’s an area that still has an affordable price tag,” Hinson says. “When people move out of the New River Valley, they go to Pulaski because you can still get a good house for under $175,000.” The median sales price in Pulaski is about $200,000, which is half the national median.
Rows of bungalows are typical of the housing options found in Pulaski.
The houses in Pulaski may be small, but they often have spacious yards and rustic charm.
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Public parks in Pulaski and boating and fishing on Claytor Lake
Pulaski experiences all four seasons, including hot, humid summers, and a few public parks with green space, playgrounds and sports fields are scattered around town. Peak Creek, a waterway that's stocked with trout, runs through town. The creek is an offshoot of Claytor Lake, which Hinson says is a major hot spot for recreation in the county. About 12 miles from Pulaski, Claytor Lake State Park centers around a 21-mile-long freshwater reservoir with a marina, a swimming beach, a campground and nature trails for hiking and biking.
Directly in Pulaski, there's also Calfee Park, a ballpark where residents cheer on the Pulaski River Turtles, a minor league baseball team that’s part of the Appalachian League. Fans enjoy themed game nights and fireworks on Fridays. Other town-wide events are held at Jackson Park, like a free summer concert series and the autumn harvest festival. In December, the town gathers for a Christmas parade that marches downtown.
Calfee park hosts baseball games during the season, and going to see a game is a fun weekend activity for residents.
Claytor Lake State Park is just a little south of Pulaski and has fishing and boating.
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Chain restaurants and grab-and-go stores on Main Street
Main Street has a mix of fast-food restaurants, auto shops and other small businesses. Chains make up the majority of the dining options, but there are a few locally owned eateries in town. Pulaski also has convenience stores and a supermarket, but the closest big box retailer is about 6 miles northeast, in Dublin.
Small businesses in small shopping plazas are what Pulaski residents rely on for shopping.
Kroger is Pulaski's closest grocery store.
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Interstate 81 routes to Blacksburg and Roanoke
Residents rely on cars to get around town and head to more populated areas. U.S. Route 11 runs through Pulaski, and Interstate 81 is about 3 miles away. On Interstate 81, drivers can travel northeast about 35 miles to Blacksburg or 60 miles to Roanoke. The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport offers nonstop flights to eight U.S. cities, but travelers must drive much farther to the nearest international airport, with Raleigh-Durham International Airport about 180 miles southeast of Pulaski. People don’t have to travel far for medical facilities, as LewisGale Hospital Pulaski is in town.
STEM courses through Pulaski County Public Schools
Kids are zoned to Pulaski County Public Schools, which serves about 4,000 students and scores an overall B-minus from Niche. High school students may enroll in the Governor’s STEM Academy to study construction, medical sciences, law enforcement and more.
Pulaski County Middle School gets a B- from Niche.com.
Pulaski high school students may enroll in the Governor’s STEM Academy to study construction, medical sciences, law enforcement and more.
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Higher than average crime rates
According to FBI statistics, crime rates for both property and violent crimes decreased from 2022 to 2023.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
